s 

451 

N35A5 
1920 


UC-NRLF 


ft? progressive  farmers 


REGISTRY 


NEW  JERSEY'S   DIVERSIFIED  SOILS 
offer  exceptional  opportunities  to  capable 
farmers,  who  want  to  specialize. 


A  highly  developed  potato  farm 


OUR  FARMLANDS,  developed  or  undeveloped,  are 
in  established  communities  where  farm  life  is  in 
close  association  with  industrial  and  suburban  life. 


- 


A  community  market  in  one  of  our  industrial  cities.    Fresh  produce  for 
townspeople;   good  prices  for  farmers. 


New  Jersey 

A  J*rogtessive  farmers 


ADVANTAGES  AND  CONDITIONS 

POSITION. — New  Jersey  has  long  been  known  for  its  truck  farms; 
its   advantages   for   dairying,    fruit   raising,    poultry   and   general 
farming  are  less  well  recognized.      Occupying  the  most  advan- 
tageous position  in  the  Union,  between  the  two  great  centers  of 
New  York  and  Philadelphia,  and  with  more  than  ten  million  people  living 
within  sixty  miles  of  the  State  House,  New  Jersey  offers  a  wonderful  field 
to  agriculturists.     Its  unexcelled  markets,  moderate  climate,  and  the  ready 
adaptability  of  its  soils  to  a  wide  range  of  crops,  give  opportunities  for  farm- 
ing such  as  no  other  state  can  offer. 

New  Jersey's  Rank  in  Farming.— The  total  value  of  the  State's  agricul- 
tural products  is  estimated  at  $150,000,000,  which,  coming  from  slightly 
over  1,000,000  acres  of  cultivated  land,  gives  the  exceedingly  high  average 


One  of  Jersey's  century-old  farms. 


Thret 


882 


A  dairy  farm  on  low-priced,  newly-cleared  land. 

yield  of  about  $150  per  acre.  In  proportion  to  its  area  New  Jersey  leads 
all  states  east  of  the  Mississippi  River  in  acreage  and  total  production  of 
alfalfa.  On  the  same  basis  it  leads  all  states  in  poultry  and  potato  pro- 
duction. Three  of  its  counties  are  among  the  five  largest  producing  sweet 
potato  counties  in  the  United  States  and  the  State  holds  the  dairy  record  for 
the  highest  county  production  per  cow.  New  Jersey's  crop  of  black- 
berries and  dewberries  is  the  largest,  and  its  asparagus  crop  is  the 
second  largest,  in  the  country.  It  raises  more  than  one-half  of  the  pepper 
crop,  and  one-third  of  the  cranberry  crop.  Contrary  to  the  general  opinion 
that  the  State's  agricultural  activities  are  confined  mostly  to  the  raising  of 
fruit  and  truck,  it  can  be  shown  that  New  Jersey  produces  annually  over 
$25,000,000  worth  of  dairy  products,  $17,000,000  worth  of  corn,  $14,000,- 
000  worth  of  hay,  and  $19,000,000  worth  of  potatoes. 


Four 


Comfortable  homes 
on  Jersey  farms. 


Population. —  Though  one  of  the  thirteen  original  states,  New  Jersey  is 
still  growing  rapidly  in  population,  and  property  values  of  every  kind  are 
increasing.  The  State  census  of  1915  returned  a  total  of  2,844,342  inhab- 
itants, a  gain  of  over  307,175  or  12  per  cent  since  the  Federal  census  of 
1910  was  taken.  The  property  assessment  for  1918  gave  a  total  of 
$3,030,926,010. 

Farm  Decline. — Forty  years  ago  city  attractions,  western  lands  and  other 


influences  caused  a  movement  that  resulted  in  a  depreciation  of  farm  values 
throughout  the  eastern  states.  New  Jersey  was  affected  by  that  movement 
to  such  an  extent  that  many  good  farms  were  left  unoccupied  and  the  State's 

Five 


farming  interests  suffered  generally.  Twenty  years  ago  the  tide  turned; 
the  intrinsic  worth  of  New  Jersey  soils  and  the  State's  unrivalled  position 
began  to  be  recognized.  To-day  we  are  on  the  flood  of  a  recovery  that 
promises  to  bring  under  cultivation  most  of  the  land  formerly  farmed  and 
much  that  has  never  before  been  cultivated. 

Plenty  of  Land. —  Though  many  of  our  farms  are  yielding  high  returns 
there  are  now  available  for  immediate  and  future  development,  a  million 
acres  of  land  quite  as  good  as  most  of  that  now  in  profitable  culture.  Three 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  acres  of  the  best  grain  and  fruit  land  occupy  the 
valleys  and  hillsides  of  Hunterdon,  Morris,  Passaic,  Somerset,  Sussex  and 
Warren  Counties.  Six  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  acres  lie  in  the  southern 
half  of  the  State,  where  the  soil  is  light  and  easily  worked,  and  the  growing 
season  long. 


Our  farms  are  served  by  fine  roads  and  often  by  trolley  lines. 

Some  land  in  South  Jersey  is  of  little  value  for  agricultural  purposes,  and 
should  remain  in  forest,  but  the  impression  that  it  all  is  sterile  is  altogether 
wrong. 

New  Jersey  can  offer  no  public  land,  but  much  of  that  which  is  available 
can  be  purchased  for  less  than  the  assessments  on  so-called  "free  lands"  in 
other  states.  Uncleared  land  can  be  secured  for  from  $5  to  $20  an  acre  ; 
cleared  land  without  buildings  for  $20  an  acre ;  run-down  farms  with  build- 
ings for  as  little  as  $50  an  acre,  while  farms  in  good  condition  can  often  be 
obtained  for  from  $60  to  $100  an  acre,  depending  upon  location  and  other 
conditions.  From  these  low  figures  prices  range  upwards,  yet  with  many 
opportunities  to  acquire  good  farms  upon  better  terms  than  those  that  rule 
in  other  states.  There  are  also  opportunities  to  rent. 

Six 


Farmers'  children  are  transported  to  graded  schools. 

New  Jersey  is  Highly  Developed.—  New  Jersey  is  highly  organized,  and 
offers  attractions  not  in  the  future  but  now.  Yet  there  is  plenty  of  room  for 
expansion.  Every  farming  section  is  in  closest  touch  with  city  populations 
and  consuming  centers,  so  that  nowhere  need  the  farmer  live  in  isolation. 
There  are  practically  no  farms  in  New  Jersey  more  than  three  hours  away 
from  New  York  or  Philadelphia.  Few  farms  are  more  than  two  miles 
from  an  improved  highway,  or  more  than  four  miles  from  a  railroad  station. 
Stores  are  always  near,  and  telephone  and  daily  mail  reach  every  section. 

Schools,  Banks,  Social  Advantages.— New  Jersey's  schools  are  among  the 
best  in  the  Union.  Graded  schools  are  provided  for  farmers'  children, 
as  well  as  for  those  who  live  in  town.  High  schools  are  always  within 
reach,  while  three  universities  provide  for  higher  education.  An  agricul- 
tural college  is  at  the  service  of  those  who  wish  to  qualify  as  modern 
farmers. 

Every  community  has  at  least  one  bank,  organized  and  administered  under 
Federal  or  State  control,  and  various  co-operative  associations,  all  designed 
to  meet  the  financial  needs  of  the  people. 

No  farmer's  family  need  be  out  of  touch  with  religious  or  social  life. 
Churches  of  every  denomination  abound  and  are  easily  reached  by  means 
of  our  good  roads. 

Seven 


Members  of  a  county  farm  bureau  visit  the  State  Agricultural  College 
and  Experiment  Station. 


STATE  AID  FOR  FARMERS 

Many  Helping  Agencies. —  New  Jersey  has  unrivaled  sources  of  informa- 
tion for  the  farmer.  The  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  the  Agricul- 
tural Extension  Service  of  the  State  University,  and  the  State  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  are  always  ready  to  give  advice  and  assistance  of  a  thor- 
oughly practical  kind.  A  Superintendent  of  Farm  Demonstration  is  main- 
tained in  every  farming  county,  as  the  representative  of  the  Extension  Ser- 
vice of  the  State  University,  to  help  with  local  soil  and  farm  problems.  Co- 
operative farm  organizations  are  abundant,  and  the  community  spirit  in  the 
rural  districts  has  been  developed  to  a  high  degree. 


CLIMATE 

Growing  Seasons. —  Climatic  conditions  are  moderate  and  do  not  vary 
greatly  throughout  the  State.  The  rainfall  is  exceptionally  uniform,  the 
average  monthly  precipitation  being  close  to  four  inches;  there  is  always 
plenty  of  water  everywhere  for  agricultural  purposes.  The  first  and  last 
killing  frosts  average:  in  the  northern  sections,  September  25  to  October  5, 
and  May  2  to  May  15;  in  the  central,  October  10  and  April  25;  in  the 
southern.  October  15  and  April  20,  the  season  of  the  southern  portion  of  the 
Eight 


Not  an  automobile  show — A  Sussex  County  farmers'  meeting. 

State  being  several  weeks  longer  than  that  of  the  northern.  Neither  heavy 
snowstorms  nor  extended  cold  periods  are  frequent ;  the  winters  in  the  south- 
ern sections  especially  are  often  mild  and  with  but  little  snow.  Destructive 
winds  are  practically  unknown. 


SOILS 

Relation  to  Crops. —  New  Jersey  soils  present  great  variation  in  texture, 
composition,  water-holding  power  and  productivity.  This  fact  determines 
to  a  large  extent  the  particular  crops  which  thrive  on  each  type.  The  prin- 
cipal soil  types  shown  on  the  map  opposite  page  10  are  intended  only  to 
generalize  the  situation.  The  soil  map  of  South  Jersey,  page  1 2,  is  still  too 
small  to  be  more  than  indicative  of  the  prevailing  kinds  of  soils  found  in 
that  section.  Detailed  soil  surveys  of  the  whole  State  are  nearly  com- 
pleted, and  maps  and  descriptions  of  several  sections  are  already  available. 


Nine 


GENERAL  SOIL  TYPES 

(SEE    MAP    OPPOSITE.) 

Section  i. — Level  to  very  gently  rolling,  sandy  and  sandy  loams,  well  or 
poorly  drained. 

This  area  is  famous  for  its  production  of  market  garden  crops,  tree  fruits, 
small  fruits,  cranberries  and  poultry,  and  bids  fair  to  rank  among  the  first 
of  the  farming  sections  along  the  Atlantic  coast.  Here  progressive  farmers 
have  taken  the  light  warm  lands,  and,  by  skillful  handling  and  the  use  of 
modern  methods,  including  the  application  of  fertilizers,  growing  of  cover 
crops,  and  sometimes  the  installation  of  irrigation,  have  produced  crops  of 
far  greater  value  than  those  grown  on  the  naturally  rich  lands  of  other 
states.  Certain  parts  of  this  section  are  non-agricultural  in  character  and 
should  remain  in  forest. 

Section  2. — Level  and  gently  rolling,  loams  to  sandy  loams,  sometimes  in- 
fluenced by  the  presence  of  marl ;  generally  well  drained. 

This  section  is  known  for  its  large  crops  of  truck,  potatoes,  tomatoes,  fruit 
and  corn.  In  the  hands  of  skilled  farmers  these  extremely  fertile  soils  are 
among  the  most  productive  in  the  country. 

Section  j. — Gently  rolling  with  some  stony  ridges.  South  of  the  moraine 
loamy,  shaley  or  clayey  soil,  derived  from  red  and  gray  shales  and  sand- 
stones; north  of  the  moraine  considerable  glacial  drift,  soils  frequently  grav- 
elly and  sandy  loams.  Drainage  good  except  in  certain  area?. 

These  loams,  rich  in  plant  food,  are,  at  their  best,  capable  of  producing 
large  yields  of  hay,  corn,  grain  and  forage  crops. 

Section  4. — Rolling  to  hilly;  soils  predominately  well  drained  and  com- 
monly loams  derived  from  granite  and  gneiss,  often  stony;  some  broad,  fer- 
tile limestone  valleys. 

This  section  offers  picturesque  stretches  of  hills,  valleys  and  rich  pasture 
lands.  Here  the  gently  sloping  hillsides  constitute  ideal  sites  for  fruit  or- 
chards and  dairy  farming. 

Section  5. — Rolling  to  hilly,  occasionally  mountainous;  soils  loams  and 
some  sandy  loams  derived  from  limestones,  sandstones  and  shales,  generally 
well  drained.  Considerable  areas  of  muck  land,  developed  and  undeveloped. 

Here,  as  in  Section  4,  the  hillsides  and  extensive  valleys  are  used  for 
dairying,  while  numerous  apple  orchards  are  found  throughout.  Market 
gardening  is  carried  on  where  the  rich  muck  land  is  available. 

Ten 


DEPARTMENT  OF  CONSERVATION   AND   DEVELOPMENT 


TRENTON 


General  Soil  Types  based  upon 
Geological  Formations 
Terminal  Moraine 
1920 


Good  roads  prevail  in  the  farming  sections. 


ROADS 

Extensive  Highway  System. — The  high  quality  of  our  roads,  and  the  auto- 
mobile give  rural  life  in  New  Jersey  substantially  all  the  advantages  and 
opportunities  of  suburban  life.  Farmers  in  every  section  enjoy  comfort 
and  economy  in  travel,  and  accessibility  to  markets,  shopping  centers, 
churches  and  amusements.  The  State  is  covered  with  a  network  of  15,000 
miles  of  rural  roads;  it  has  .784  miles  of  surfaced  roads  per  square  mile  of 
area,  or  nine  times  as  much  as  the  average  for  the  United  States.  The  State 
and  its  various  agencies  are  constructing  a  highway  system  which  will  in- 
volve an  expenditure  of  approximately  $35,000,000.  Only  the  best  and 
most  durable  types  of  roads  are  being  laid  down.  These  arteries  of  traffic 
are  opening  up  the  undeveloped  sections,  and  creating  prosperous  farms  and 
increased  values  everywhere. 


Eleven 


INDICATING  PRINCIPAL  SOIL  TYPES 

1920 


DEPARTMENJ     OF 

CONSERVATION  *»o  DEVEUOPMENT 
TRENTON 


Twelve 


;oiira  JERSEY 


(GATING  PRINCIPAL  CROP  CENTERS 
AND    RAILROAD   FACILITIES 


DEPARTMENT   OF 
JERVATION  AND  DEVELOPMENT 

TRENTON 


Thirteen 


Our  farms  are  tributary  to  the  nation's  greatest  playground — the  Jersey  coast. 

MARKET  FACILITIES 

Unlimited  Markets  at  Hand.— Farmers  in  New  Jersey  do  not  have  the 
difficult  marketing  problems  encountered  by  producers  in  the  Western  and 
Southern  States.  New  York  on  one  side  of  the  State  and  Philadelphia  on 
the  other,  are  within  one  hundred  miles  of  any  farm  in  the  State,  yet  New 
Jersey  at  present  supplies  but  a  small  percentage  of  their  needs.  The  man- 
ufacturing cities,  the  country  towns  and  villages  and  the  rapidly  growing 
seashore  resorts  within  the  State  likewise  furnish  markets  for  a  large  part 
of  the  farm  products  now  grown.  Twenty-five  hundred  miles  of  steam 
railways,  a  great  highway  system  and  deep-water  ship  transportation  on 
three  sides  give  our  farmers  market  connections  surpassed  by  those  of  no 
other  territory  in  the  world. 

MARKETING  FARM  CROPS 

Dairy  Products.—  In  parts  of  Sussex,  Warren,  Hunterdon,  Morris  and 
Somerset  Counties,  ninety  per  cent  of  the  farm  incomes  are  derived  from 
the  sale  of  fluid  milk.  A  majority  of  these  farmers  are  members  of  the 
Dairymen's  League,  and  market  their  products  through  that  organization 
in  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Newark  and  Paterson.  The  railroads  run 
special  milk  trains,  or  have  milk  cars  attached  to  mixed  freight  trains. 
Light  motor  trucks  are  much  used  for  the  delivery  of  milk  to  shipping  sta- 
tions. In  some  localities  motor  truck  routes  have  been  established,  whereby 

Fourteen 


The  world's  largest 
markets  are  within 
four  hours  of  any 
farm  in  the  State. 


one  truck  gathers  the  milk  from  a  number  of  farms.  Communities  lo- 
cated along  the  Delaware  have,  in  general,  better  facilities  for  shipping  to 
Trenton  and  Philadelphia.  The  dairy  sections  of  Burlington,  Bridgeton 
and  Salem  Counties  supply  large  quantities  of  milk  to  these  markets  through 
the  Inter-State  Milk  Producers'  Association,  shipping  by  special  milk  trains 
to  distributors  in  the  cities.  The  dairymen  in  Monmouth  County  ship  by 
special  milk  trains  to  the  large  markets,  and  haul  to  the  shore  resorts  by 
motor  truck. 

Fruits  and  Vegetables.— Hundreds  of  huge  motor  trucks  are  used  by  the 
fruit  and  vegetable  growers  in  the  northern  counties  to  deliver  their  pro- 

Fifteen 


Peaches  for  the  city  market  by  motor  truck. 

ducts  in  Paterson,  Newark  and  New  York.  Excellent  train  service  is  also 
provided.  In  Sussex,  Warren,  Morris  and  Hunterdon  Counties,  where 
the  apple  industry  is  of  importance,  growers  are  building  up  an  extensive 
trade  on  "Jersey  Brand"  apples,  marketing  their  high-class  fruit  in  New 
York,  Newark,  Paterson  and  other  large  cities.  Some  growers  are  now 
shipping  to  points  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  New  England  States. 

In  Monmouth,  Middlesex,  Mercer,  and  parts  of  Burlington  Counties  the 
motor  truck  is  used  to  carry  produce  to  the  New  York,  Newark,  Trenton 
and  seashore  markets.  Special  cars  are  provided  by  the  railroads  upon 
request.  The  growers  of  the  Delaware  River  district  in  Burlington  County 
ship  directly  to  New  York  on  a  specially  chartered  fast  freight  train,  and  at 
the  same  time  supply  Philadelphia  and  river  front  towns  by  means  of  trucks. 
Riverton  and  Beverly  are  the  two  largest  river  front  shipping  points.  From 
them  many  carloads  of  produce  are  despatched  daily  during  the  height  of 
the  season. 

In  South  Jersey  motor  trucks  are  in  common  use,  several  hundred  crossing 
the  ferries  at  Camden  each  night  with  fruit  and  vegetables  for  the  Phila- 

Sixteen 


Tomato  market  at  the  height  of  the  season;  buyers  ready  to  compete. 

delphia  wholesale  houses.  Large  quantities  of  peaches,  berries  and  vege- 
tables are  shipped  in  refrigerator  cars  from  Hammonton  and  Vineland. 
Throughout  this  district  special  produce  trains  are  put  on  for  the  season, 
and  goods  can  be  loaded  by  the  shipper  as  late  as  4  p.m.  for  the  early  morn- 
ing markets  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia. 

Tomatoes. —  Many  thousand  acres  of  tomatoes  are  grown  for  the  canning 
factories  located  throughout  the  Central  and  Southern  counties.  Some 
growers  contract  in  the  spring. for  a  specified  number  of  acres  at  a  given 
price  per  ton.  Others  prefer  to  sell  on  the  open  market  when  the  tomatoes 
are  picked.  From  Swedesboro,  one  of  the  largest  shipping  stations,  a  single 
day's  shipment  of  thirty  to  forty  carloads  of  early  tomatoes  for  distant  mar- 
kets is  not  unusual  during  the  height  of  the  season.  Most  of  the  loading  is 
done  by  representatives  of  wholesale  produce  houses.  Bridgeton  ships  by 
water  daily  many  tons  of  canning  house  tomatoes  to  Philadelphia  and  other 
points. 

Poultry.—  The  poultrymen  in  the  northern  counties  market  their  products 
in  the  nearby  cities  by  means  of  motor  trucks.  The  Hunterdon  County 

Seventeen 


Poultry  Association  sends  its  members'  products  to  Newark  by  motor  truck 
twice  each  week.  Poultrymen  in  Monmouth  and  Ocean  Counties  around 
Eatontown,  Red  Bank,  Lakewood  and  Toms  River  sell  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  their  eggs  at  the  shore  resorts.  New  York  and  Newark  markets  are 
supplied  by  rail,  Vineland  and  Hammonton  being  provided  each  day  with  a 
special  egg  car  on  a  fast  freight  train. 

Potatoes  and  Staples. — Our  great  potato  crops  are  generally  marketed 
through  farmers'  organizations.  These  exchanges,  through  their  numerous 
branches,  ship  to  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Chicago,  Cleveland, 
and  other  cities.  Staple  crops  are  always  sold  without  difficulty  in  New 
York  and  Philadelphia  as  these  markets  constantly  demand  such  products  in 
larger  quantities  than  can  be  supplied. 

LOCAL  FARMERS'  MARKETS 

Curb  and  Municipal  Markets. — Many  cities  of  New  Jersey  maintain  curb 
and  municipal  farmers'  markets  where  the  consumers  buy  direct  from 
the  producers,  thus  eliminating  the  middleman.  The  cities  of  Elizabeth 
and  Perth  Amboy  have  large  retail  curb  markets  where  thousands  of  dollars 
worth  of  fruits  and  vegetables  are  sold  by  the  farmers  each  week  during  the 
summer  and  fall  seasons.  Jersey  City,  Passaic,  Morristown,  Westfield, 
Plainfield,  and  Bayonne  also  support  such  markets,  while  New  Brunswick 
has  a  very  satisfactory  wholesale  market  place  for  farmers.  Trenton  has 
established,  within  the  last  two  years,  one  retail  and  one  wholesale  farmers' 
out-door  market.  As  many  as  125  farmers  were  accommodated  during  some 
days  in  1919  at  these  Trenton  markets.  Woodbury,  Burlington  and  other 
towns  also  have  good  retail  curb  markets. 

Seashore  Markets.— The  well-known  Jersey  seashore  resorts  offer  unusual 
markets  for  fresh  farm  products  the  year  around,  the  demand  for  the 
best  quality  food  stuffs  always  exceeding  the  supply.  Cape  May  County, 
and  certain  parts  of  Atlantic  County,  market  practically  their  entire  crops 
at  these  resorts,  and  large  quantities  of  fruits  and  vegetables  are  hauled  by 
motor  trucks  to  the  shore  from  Cumberland,  Burlington  and  Monmouth 
Counties. 


Eighteen 


NEW  JERSEY 

HOME  MARKETS 
1920 


OClTltS     AND   TOWNS 
or  ABOUT   5, 


OVER  TEN  MILLION  PEOPLE 
LIVE    WITHIN     60    MILES 
OF   TRENTON 


Nineteen 


A  roadside 
market. 


Roadside  Markets  have  sprung  up  all  over  the  State  on  well-traveled 
roads,  especially  in  the  southern  sections  along  the  main  routes  to  the  sea- 
shore resorts.  These  markets  range  from  a  modest  market  of  potatoes  set 
upon  the  grass  near  the  edge  of  the  road  to  a  building  showing  to  advantage 
attractive  baskets  and  bunches  of  different  kinds  of  produce,  as  well  as  but- 
ter, jellies  and  canned  fruits.  The  receipts  from  roadside  markets  run  as 
high  as  three  hundred  dollars  a  day. 

General  Market  Methods.— In  general  the  methods  of  selling  farm  pro- 
duce in  New  Jersey  can  be  classified  as  follows : 

1.  Producers  shipping  by  rail  or  water  to  dealers  in  distant  cities. 

2.  Producers  shipping  by  teams  or  motor  trucks  to  dealers  in  nearby 
cities. 

3.  Farmers'  organizations  shipping  to  dealers  in  distant  cities. 

4.  Cash  buying,  or  consignment  shipping  by  local  dealers,  for  distant 
cities. 

5.  Farmers  selling  direct  to  consumers  or  local  dealers  at  curb  or  muni- 
cipal markets  in  nearby  cities. 

6.  Roadside  marketing  to  tourists. 

Twenty 


Exhibits  at  the  annual  "Agricultural  Week"  Convention. 

FARMERS*  CO-OPERATIVE  ORGANIZATIONS 

Buying  and  Selling. — Farmers'  co-operative  organizations  are  numerous 
and  active.  The  Dairymen's  League,  with  its  forty-one  local  branches  in 
Sussex,  Warren,  Hunterdon,  Morris  and  Somerset  Counties  and  the  Inter- 
State  Milk  Producers'  Association  aid  in  the  marketing  of  milk.  The  Mor- 
ris County  Farmers'  Exchange,  located  at  Morristown,  purchases  supplies 
and  sells  products  for  the  farmers  in  that  and  neighboring  counties.  The 
Bergen-Passaic  Farmers'  Co-operative  Association,  with  its  central  office  at 
Paterson,  centers  its  efforts  upon  the  buying  of  farm  supplies,  as  most  of  the 
products  of  this  section  are  marketed  locally.  The  Warren  County  Farm- 
ers' Co-operative  Association  has  its  office  at  Belvidere,  and  the  Essex 
County  Farmers'  Co-operative  Association  is  located  at  Caldwell.  The 
Bellemead  Farmers'  Club,  in  Somerset  County,  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most 


Jersey 
farmers 
are  well 
organized 
to  buy 
and  sell. 


Twenty-one 


Agricultural  interests  are  foremost  at  the  State  Fairs. 

successful  business  organizations  in  the  State.  The  Farmers'  Co-operative 
Association  of  Mercer  County  has  proved  the  practicability -of  a  purely  co- 
operative, non-stock  association  for  buying  supplies  and  selling  products. 
Its  business  for  the  year  1919  exceeded  half  a  million  dollars. 

During  the  potato  shipping  season  the  Monmouth  County  Farmers'  Ex- 
change, with  headquarters  at  Freehold,  operates  some  thirty  branch  loading 
stations  throughout  this  famous  farming  section.  It  is  the  oldest  and  largest 
farmers'  business  organization  in  New  Jersey,  with  about  fifteen  hundred 
stockholders.  Mount  Holly  is  the  headquarters  of  the  Burlington  County 
Supply  and  Produce  Company ;  and  at  Woodstown  is  the  office  of  the  South 
Jersey  Farmers'  Exchange.  These  three  organizations,  located  in  the  chief 
potato  sections,  ship  the  great  bulk  of  New  Jersey's  potato  crop,  and  supply 
their  members  with  millions  of  dollars  worth  of  seeds,  fertilizers,  feeds  and 
implements. 

The  South  Jersey  Federation  of  Tomato  Growers  is  especially  active  in 
portions  of  Gloucester,  Salem,  and  Cumberland  Counties,  and  looks  out  for 
the  interests  of  its  several  hundred  members.  The  Co-operative  Growers' 

Twenty-two 


Much  of  Jersey's  farmland  is  adapted  to  the  use  of  tractors. 

Association,  with  headquarters  at  Beverly  in  Burlington  County,  charters 
a  special  train  daily  in  summer  to  carry  its  members'  products  to  the  New 
York  market.  The  largest  poultry  association  in  the  State  is  located  at 
Vineland,  the  center  of  one  of  the  greatest  poultry  districts  in  the  country. 
The  several  hundred  members  of  this  active  organization  use  special  labels 
to  advertise  Vineland  eggs. 

Educational  Associations.— Besides  the  organizations  for  buying  and  sell- 
ing, many  associations  have  been  formed  for  the  promotion  of  various  types 
of  farming.  Prominent  among  these  are  the  New  Jersey  State  Horticul- 
tural Society,  the  State  Dairymen's  Association,  the  State  Potato  Growers' 
Association,  the  State  Alfalfa  Association,  and  the  State  Poultry  Associa- 
tion. Meetings  are  held  at  intervals  to  discuss  methods  for  the  advance- 
ment of  their  respective  interests. 

FARMING  AREAS 

Distribution  of  Population.— The  industrial  and  thickly  populated  sec- 
tions of  New  Jersey  are  shown  on  the  map  on  page  19,  and  significantly 

Tiventy-three 


Grain  is  largely 
grown  on  our 
heavier  soils. 


cover  a  restricted  territory,  chiefly  west  and  south  of  New  York,  east  of 
Philadelphia,  and  along  the  coast.  The  central  and  southern  sections  are 
sparsely  populated,  and  much  of  the  land  is  devoted  to,  or  is  available  for, 
farming.  Attention  is  directed  to  the  fact  that  although  the  population 
density  of  New  Jersey,  405  persons  per  square  mile,  is  exceeded  only  by  that 
of  Rhode  Island  and  Massachusetts,  75  per  cent  of  all  the  people  are  found 
in  communities  of  over  2,500,  occupying  less  than  6  per  cent  of  the  State's 
area.  Outside  these  communities  the  population  is  far  below  the  capacity  of 
the  land. 

Determination  of  Farming  Areas.— Most  of  the  land  in  Cultivation  lies 
close  to  the  railways  or  waterways.  Combinations  of  soil,  topography,  cli- 
mate, marketing  facilities,  custom,  and  other  factors  have  caused  types  of 
farming  to  become  intensified  in  certain  localities  to  such  an  extent  that  it  is 
possible  to  take  up  each  type  by  areas.  It  is  not  to  be  inferred,  however, 
that  the  successful  pursuit  of  these  types  is  restricted  to  the  designated  areas. 

'Twenty-four 


GENERAL  FARMING 

Suited  to  Whole  State.— Practically  the  entire  State,  outside  of  the  indus- 
trial and  thickly  populated  sections,  (Map  No.  1),  is  adapted  to  general 
farming,  although  only  to  a  limited  extent  in  some  of  the  extremely  sandy 
sections  of  Monmouth,  Ocean,  Burlington,  Atlantic  and  Cape  May  Coun- 
ties, and  in  the  mountainous  portions  of  some  of  the  northern  counties. 
Corn,  wheat,  oats,  hay  and  white  potatoes  are  grown  over  the  entire  State 

Tiventy-fiv  e 


. 


Alfalfa  and 
timothy  are 
profitable  crops. 


and  may  be  considered  as  companion  crops,  as  land  that  is  well  adapted 
by  natural  conditions  of  composition,  texture  and  arability,  for  the  produc- 
tion of  one,  will  produce  any  of  them. 

Grain.— Wheat,  rye  and  oats  are  grown  chiefly  on  the  heavy  soils  of  the 
central  and  northern  counties.  Over  200,000  acres  are  planted  annually  for 
grain  and  straw;  about  15,000  acres  for  cutting  green.  The  State  pro- 
duces annually  about  2,000,000  bushels  of  wheat,  1,400,000  bushels  of  rye, 
and  2,400,000  bushels  of  oats. 

Forage  Crops. — In  connection  with  dairying  the  production  of  forage 
crops  is  of  great  importance.  The  grasses,  both  native  and  introduced,  are 
grown  in  great  abundance  and  with  ease  in  the  sections  where  heavy  soils 
are  found.  Kentucky  blue  grass  flourishes  in  all  parts  of  the  State.  Tim- 
othy is  the  standard  hay  crop,  over  100,000  acres  being  raised  annually. 

Twenty-six 


850  bushels  to  the  acre  are  not  uncommon  in  the  potato  sections. 

Clover  and  alfalfa  are  being  raised  more  and  more  as  the  farmers  realize 
that  they  can  be  grown  successfully  on  well  drained  lands.  One  year's 
hay  crop  is  about  500,000  tons.  Corn  is  king  of  all  of  the  State's  food  pro- 
ducts, nearly  300,000  acres  being  planted  every  year  and  yielding  a  crop  of 
over  12,000,000  bushels. 

WHITE  POTATOES 

New  Jersey,  in  proportion  to  its  size,  ranks  foremost  of  all  the  potato 
producing  states.  The  area  in  potatoes  usually  varies  from  80,000  to 
90,000  acres,  located  principally  in  four  definitely  developed  regions,  though 
it  is  estimated  that  in  1919  over  110,500  acres  were  planted,  with  a  total 
production  of  11,500,000  bushels.  Contrasted  with  the  average  for  the 
State  of  104  bushels  per  acre,  yields  of  300  to  350  bushels  per  acre  are  not 
uncommon  in  the  potato  sections.  The  intensive  specialization  within  lim- 
ited areas  has  made  it  easy  for  growers  to  unite  in  buying  their  fertilizers, 
spray  materials  and  seed,  and  in  marketing  their  crops  at  the  end  of  the 
season.  Practices  and  methods  have  been  standardized  to  great  mutual 
advantage. 

As  high  as  50  to  70  per  cent  of  the  farms  within  the  given  areas  can  be 
used  for  potatoes.  The  soils,  unlike  those  of  most  other  sections,  are  such 
that,  by  using  cover  and  green  manure  crops  and  commercial  fertilizers, 
potatoes  may  be  grown  year  after  year  on  the  same  land.  This  seeding 

T  twenty -seven 


after  the  potatoes  are  harvested,  furnishes  the  organic  matter  necessary  to 
maintain  the  physical  tilth  of  the  soil  and  makes  livestock  unnecessary  for 
maintaining  fertility. 

WHITE  POTATO  SECTIONS 

(SEE    MAP    OPPOSITE.) 

Section  i. — The  Monmouth  and  Middlesex  area,  the  largest  and  most 
important  in  the  State,  has  25,000  acres  in  potatoes.  The  industry  has  been 
most  highly  developed  and  is  increasing  each  year.  The  average  production 
per  acre  is  from  80  to  90  barrels,  or  220  to  245  bushels.  The  average 
potato  farm  in  Monmouth  County  has  73  crop  acres  and  a  total  farm  area 
of  98  acres.  Other  averages  per  farm,  figured  before  1914,  show  $17,673 
capital  invested,  receipts  $4240,  a  farm  income  of  $1801,  and  2.4  men  re- 
quired. These  values  have  materially  increased  since  the  war.  This  area 
has  level  topography,  good  roads,  convenient  shipping  stations  and  fine  social 
advantages.  The  potato  most  commonly  grown  is  the  American  Giant, 
which  is  hardy  and  scab  resistant,  and  lends  itself  particularly  well  to  local 
conditions. 

Section  2. — The  Cumberland  and  Salem  Area  lies  farther  south,  where 
the  soil  is  slightly  heavier  than  in  Section  1.  It  is  neither  so  large  nor  so  in- 
tensive a  potato  center  and  the  crop  is  produced  more  largely  in  rotation. 
The  farmers  raise  mostly  round  stock,  such  as  Irish  Cobbler  and  Mill's 
Prize,  together  with  late  crop  potatoes,  such  as  Red  Skins  and  so-called  Pink 


A   potato  crop  ready  for  the  market. 
Twenty-eight 


CHIEF  WHITE  POTATO   SECTIONS 
1920 


Twenty-nine 


New  Jersey  produces  about  $20,000,000  worth  of  white  potatoes  annually. 

Eyes,  which  are  local  varieties  particularly  adapted  for  planting  and  market 
ing  late  in  the  season.  Potatoes  are  also  raised  to  a  considerable  extent  fo 
seed.  This  area  comprises  about  20,000  acres.  The  price  of  land  in  thi 
section  is  not  quite  so  high  as  in  Section  1. 

Section  j. — The  Burlington  Area  is  somewhat  similar  to  Section  2.  I 
has  about  12,000  acres  of  potatoes,  and  is  developing  rapidly.  It  produce 
less  seed  and  late  crop  potatoes  for  the  commercial  market.  The  varietie 
mostly  grown  are  Cobbler,  Green  Mountain,  Norcross  or  Gold  Coin 
though  some  of  the  growers  prefer  the  Giant. 

Section  4. — The  Camden  Area  is  very  similar  to  Section  3.  Practically 
the  same  varieties  are  grown,  but  yields  are  not  as  high  as  in  the  preceding 
sections,  as  soils  are  not  so  well  adapted  to  the  crop.  This  section  has  thi 
advantage  of  being  close  to  Philadelphia. 

Thirty 


The  dairy  section  of  North  Jersey. 

DAIRYING 

New  Jersey  has  over  150,000  dairy  cows,  and  the  value  of  dairy  products 
in  1919  was  between  $25,000,000  and  $30,000,000.  According  to  Govern- 
ment figures,  dairy  cattle  in  New  Jersey,  in  proportion  to  the  quantity,  are 
valued  higher  than  in  any  other  State,  the  total  valuation  being  $15,000,000. 
On  the  same  basis,  the  State  ranks  first  in  the  amount  of  advanced 
registry  work  done,  and  the  number  of  pure  bred  herds  is  rapidly 
increasing.  The  Holstein  and  Guernsey  breeds  predominate,  yet  there  are 
Jersey  breeders  who  are  among  the  world's  leaders  for  that  type. 

Although  several  of  the  country's  largest  producers  of  certified  and  modi- 
fied milk  are  established  within  our  borders,  New  Jersey  imports  consider- 
able milk  to  supply  the  demand,  which  indicates  the  opportunity  for  expan- 
sion. The  close  proximity  to  large  consuming  centers  together  with  the  ad- 
vantage of  collective  marketing  assure  good  prices  to  dairymen  who  choose 
to  locate  in  the  well  adapted  areas  of  the  State.  The  price  received  by  pro- 
ducers at  shipping  stations  within  the  60  to  70  mile  zone  from  New  York 
City  for  milk  containing  3.6  per  cent  fat,  was  $4.06  per  100  pounds  or  8.73 
per  quart  during  December,  1919.  The  average  price  during  the  year  1919 
was  $3.66  per  100  pounds,  or  7.88  cents  per  quart. 

New  Jersey  now  has  eleven  cow  testing  associations,  and  the  breeders  of 
Holsteins,  Guernseys  and  Jerseys  have  organized  State  Associations.  Local 


Thirty -out 


Holstein  breeders  associations  have  recently  been  formed  in  Hunterdon, 
Somerset,  Mercer,  Warren,  Salem  and  Cumberland  Counties.  The  New 
Jersey  State  Dairymen's  Association  is  active  in  advancing  practical  ideas 
regarding  the  value  of  milk,  price  factors,  and  legislation. 

Distinguished  work  has  been  accomplished  in  the  control  of  such  diseases 
as  tuberculosis  among  dairy  cattle,  particularly  in  the  prevention  of  shipment 
into  the  State  of  tubercular  cattle.  As  a  result  of  recent  tests  there  are  now 
49  herds  on  the  accredited  list,  under  which  plan  all  of  the  animals  are 
tested  regularly  by  Federal  and  State  veterinarians.  The  State  is  not  in  the 
tick  area,  and  is  therefore  free  from  the  pest. 

DAIRY  SECTIONS 

(SEE   MAP   OPPOSITE.) 

Section  i. — Known  as  the  North  Jersey  area,  includes  Sussex,  Warren, 
Hunterdon,  Morris,  Somerset  and  the  northern  half  of  Mercer  Counties. 
The  country  is  rolling  in  Mercer,  Somerset  and  Hunterdon,  hilly  and  rug- 
ged in  Morris,  Warren  and  Sussex,  with  much  good  pasture  land,  and  many 
small  streams  throughout.  Well  known  breeders  located  here  are  furnish- 
ing foundation  stock  for  other  states. 

Sussex  County. — This  is  one  of  the  best  dairy  counties  in  the  United 
States,  having  25,000  cows  within  its  borders  and  averaging  25  per  farm. 
The  average  production  per  cow  is  6000  Ibs.,  while  the  average  for  the  State 
is  between  3800  Ibs.  and  4000  Ibs.  Practically  every  farm  is  a  dairy  farm 
with  modern  barns  and  equipment. 

Warren  County. — More  than  10,000  dairy  cows  are  scattered  through 
the  wide  fertile  valleys  of  this  area.  Pasturage  is  excellent,  and  good  crops 
of  corn  and  oats  can  be  grown.  In  this  county  are  the  homes  of  the  famous 
pure  bred  Holstein  sires,  King  of  the  Sadie  Vales,  King  of  the  Ormbys  and 
King  of  the  Johanna  Lads.  Here  is  also  found  the  home  of  the  $100,000 
bull,  King  Pontiac  Fayne  Segis,  and  likewise  Korndyke  Abberkerk,  whose 
progeny  have  shown  his  value  in  several  states. 

Hunterdon  and  Mercer  Counties. — Hunterdon  has  14,000  dairy  cows 
and  Mercer  9,000,  mostly  of  the  Holstein  breed.  The  herds  in  these  sec- 
tions average  from  15  to  20  cows  and  there  are  many  up-to-date  dairy  farms. 
The  country  is  not  so  rugged  as  that  in  Sussex  and  Warren  Counties  and 
good  pasture  land  and  water  are  plentiful. 

Thirty-two 


NEW  JERSEY 

CHIEF  DAIRY  SECTIONS 
1920 


Thirty-three 


Morris  County. — In  this  area  there  are  about  9,000  cows.  -The  country 
is  rolling  to  hilly,  with  many  fertile  valleys.  Long  Valley  in  particular  is 
ideal  for  the  raising  of  cattle  and  general  crops.  This  county  is  the  home  of 
several  famous  breeders  and  importers  of  Guernseys.  Here  is  located  the 
world's  record  Guernsey  cow,  Follyland  Nancy,  whose  son  sold  recently  for 
$25,000. 

Somerset  County. — With  its  14,000  dairy  cows  is  one  of  the  best  Holstein 
counties  in  the  east.  It  has  many  pure  bred  herds,  and  is  the  home  of  the 
first  40  pound  cow,  the  world's  champion  at  the  time.  The  grand  cham- 
pion Ayreshire  bull  at  a  recent  national  dairy  show  was  owned  by  a  Somerset 
County  breeder.  The  topography  of  this  section,  and  the  crops  grown,  are 
similar  to  those  of  other  counties  in  Section  1. 

Section  2. — Known  as  the  Cream  Ridge  Area,  is  in  the  western  part  of 
Monmouth  County,  where  dairying  has  long  been  the  chief  industry.  The 
milk  produced  is  used  mostly  by  shore  trade.  The  cattle  are  for  the  most 
part  Holsteins,  with  a  few  Guernseys.  The  highest  price  ever  paid  for  a 
Guernsey  bull  was  received  recently  by  a  Monmouth  County  breeder.  Corn 
grows  well  here,  and  many  silos  are  in  use. 

Section  3. — Comprises  a  very  extensive  dairy  community  in  the  northern 
half  of  Burlington  County.  The  topography  is  level  to  rolling,  the  pas- 
tures abundant  and  the  land  fit  for  practically  any  crop.  Southern  varieties 
of  ensilage  corn  are  grown  extensively  and  it  is  not  uncommon  to  cut  from 
12  to  15  tons  per  acre.  This  is  one  of  the  oldest  dairy  sections  in  the 
United  States,  containing  at  the  present  time  about  10,000  dairy  cattle. 
Grade  Holsteins  predominate,  although  there  are  several  herds  of  grade  and 
pure-bred  Guernseys.  As  seasons  are  longer  than  in  Sections  1  and  2  the 
herds  may  be  pastured  from  April  to  November.  Most  of  the  dairymen 
are  members  of  the  Inter-State  Milk  Producers'  Association,  and  sell  their 
products  as  whole  milk  in  Philadelphia.  The  cow  testing  association  now 
operating  obtains  good  results. 

Section  4. — Known  as  the  Salem  area,  has  about  15,000  high-class  grade 
and  pure  bred  cattle.  The  progressive  dairymen  have  maintained  a  cow 
testing  association  for  six  years,  and  have  done  considerable  advance  registry 
work.  One  breeder  of  pure  bred  Jerseys  has  placed  forty  cows  on  the 
"Register  of  Merit"  list  within  the  past  four  years.  Here,  as  in  Section  3, 
the  seasons  are  long  and  large  quantities  of  corn  and  grain  are  grown.  The 

Thirty-four 


Where  some  of 
Jersey's  high  grade 
milk  is  produced. 


Thirty-five 


Dairying 
produces  a 
steady  cash 
income  on 
many  general 
farms. 


crop  rotation  of  corn,  potatoes,  grain  and  alfalfa  works  well  with  dairying. 
It  is  not  uncommon  to  see  herds  pastured  on  fields  which  would  raise  75 
bushels  of  corn  to  the  acre  if  under  cultivation. 

Section  5.  —  Known  as  the  Shiloh  Area,  is  in  Cumberland  County.  Here 
also  the  dairymen  are  very  progressive.  Practically  all  of  them  keep  pure 
bred  stock  and  belong  to  a  cow  testing  association.  Farmers  in  Sections  4 
and  5  purchased  over  twenty  pure  bred  Holstein  bulls  during  1919,  at  an 
average  price  of  $600.  The  crops  are  corn,  grain  and  tomatoes.  The 
milk  is  sold  either  to  the  condensery  in  Bridgeton  or  to  the  Inter-State  Milk 
Producers'  Association  at  Philadelphia. 

Section  6.  —  Is  close  to  Newark,  Paterson  and  Jersey  City.  Dairymen  of 
this  section  usually  retail  their  milk  in  nearby  cities  and  towns.  In  com- 
parison with  other  sections,  very  few  calves  are  raised,  but  cows  in  the  lac- 
tation period  are  bought  for  milk  and  later  sold  for  beef.  It  is  not  uncom- 
mon to  see  herds  of  200  cows  kept  within  three  miles  of  the  city.  Practi- 
cally all  the  feed  is  purchased,  and  the  cows  are  forced  for  the  highest  milk 
production. 


Thirty-six 


A  model  swinery. 


SWINE  AND  SHEEP 

Swine. — The  production  of  pork  is  one  of  the  profitable  occupations  of 
New  Jersey  farmers.  Potato  and  truck  growers  in  South  Jersey  have  dem- 
onstrated that  the  hog  is  the  most  economical  medium  for  converting  seem- 
ingly waste  products  into  marketable  commodities,  and  many  of  them  are 
now  marketing  their  small  potatoes  and  fruit  culls  through  the  porker. 
The  industry  is  also  carried  on  to  a  considerable  extent  in  the  central  and 
northern  sections,  the  farmers  of  Monmouth,  Mercer,  Middlesex,  Somerset, 
Morris,  Hunterdon,  Warren  and  Sussex  Counties  raising  swine  as  a  side 
line  of  dairying  and  general  farming. 

The  increased  acreage  devoted  to  alfalfa  is  a  boon  to  swine  husbandry, 
while  the  control  of  hog  cholera  by  means  of  potent  serum  has  done  much 
to  make  it  profitable. 

Sheep. — Some  sections  of  the  State  offer  peculiar  advantages  for  the  rais- 
ing of  sheep,  the  high,  rolling  lands  especially  making  suitable  pastures. 
As  a  means  of  increasing  fertility,  destroying  weeds  and  utilizing  coarse 
and  rough  fodders,  the  raising  of  sheep  in  New  Jersey  is  desirable.  There 
is  always  a  big  demand  for  wool,  and  for  lamb  and  mutton. 

Areas  well  adapted  for  the  raising  of  any  kind  of  live  stock  are  available 
at  reasonable  figures  in  all  parts  of  the  State. 

Thirty-seven 


Tomatoes  for  a  soup  factory. 

VEGETABLES 

By  virtue  of  its  fertile  soils  and  the  close  proximity  of  its  farmland  to 
markets  New  Jersey  has  always  been  a  large  producer  of  vegetables.  They 
are  grown  commercially  in  every  county,  and  "Jersey  Grown",  as  applied  to 
produce  offered  in  city  markets,  means  high  quality  for  the  consumer  and 
good  prices  for  the  producer. 

In  quantity  production  New  Jersey  ranks  high.  53%  of  the  peppers 
grown  in  the  United  States  are  raised  here.  It  is  the  second  asparagus 
producing  State  in  the  Union.  Three  of  our  counties  are  among  the  first 
five  in  the  United  States  in  the  production  of  sweet  potatoes,  of  which  New 
Jersey  produces  1,800,000  bushels  annually.  The  Richfield  section  of  Pas- 
saic  County  enjoys  the  reputation  of  being  the  most  intensive  gardening  sec- 
tion in>  the  United  States.  In  one  square  mile  between  20,000  and  25,000 
sash  are  operated.  New  Jersey  with  more  than  sixty  canning  factories,  has 
one  of  the  largest  canning  industries  in  the  country. 

This  specialty  may  be  grouped  broadly  in  three  classes : 

Thirty- eight 


In  some 
sections  truck 
crops  are 
profitably 
grown  under 
irrigation. 


1.  Market  gardening,  which  is  most  highly  developed  in  the  northern 
section  where  land  values  are  relatively  high. 

2.  Truck  gardening,  which  uses  lower  priced  land  in  every  part  of  the 
State,  yet  is  always  in  close  touch  with  the  markets. 

3.  Production  for  the  canning  factories,  an  industry  that  is  specially  de- 
veloped in  the  southern  and  central  sections. 

The  sections  described  here  are  those  in  which  some  type  of  vegetable 
growing  has  become  specialized,  yet  it  should  be  understood  that  other  dis- 
tricts are  constantly  being  developed. 

Thirty-nine 


TRUCK  AND  MARKET  GARDEN  SECTIONS 

(SEE    MAP    OPPOSITE.) 

Section  i  comprises  a  large  part  of  Bergen  County.  The  size  of  the 
truck  farm  varies  from  12  to  40  acres.  The  soil  is  a  good  loam.  Many  of 
the  growers  formerly  used  large  quantities  of  manure ;  now  they  sow  cover 
crops  such  as  vetch,  rye,  and  the  clovers,  after  the  last  cultivation,  and  apply 
commercial  fertilizer  in  the  spring.  The  principal  crops  grown  are  sweet 
corn  and  cabbage.  These  vegetables  are  marketed  chiefly  in  Newark  and 
New  York. 

Section  2  is  mainly  meadow  land  in  Essex  and  Morris  Counties.  The 
usual  garden  contains  from  5  to  12  acres.  Manure  is  used  in  great  quan- 
tities, supplemented  by  commercial  fertilizer.  Every  variety  of  vegetable  is 
grown,  and  practically  every  gardener  keeps  from  1500  to  2000  sash  for  the 
growing  of  lettuce,  carrots,  beets,  cauliflower,  parsley,  spinach  and  celery. 
Land  values  here  are  becoming  so  high  that  some  of  the  market  gardeners 
are  selling  their  land  for  suburban  development  and  moving  fifteen  or 
twenty  miles  into  the  country  where  city  markets  can  still  be  easily  reached 
by  means  of  motor  trucks.  In  the  Brookdale  community  much  horse-radish 
of  high  quality  is  grown.  The  soil  in  this  area  is  a  medium  to  heavy  loam, 
often  considered  too  heavy  for  market  gardening,  but  by  the  use  of  lime  and 
much  manure  it  produces  excellent  results  under  skillful  management. 


Jersey's  lighter  soils  produce  the  second  largest  asparagus  crop  in  the  country. 


Forty 


MEW  JERSEY 

CHIEF  VEGETABLE  SECTIONS 
1920 


Scale  of  mile* 
t         ?         'P         " 


DEPARTMENT    OF 
CONSERVATION    &  DEVELOPMENT 

TRENTON 


Forty-one 


Jersey  melons 
are  famous. 


Section  3,  stretching  from  New  Brunswick  to  Elizabeth,  is  an  area  of 
much  larger  farms,  the  common  size  being  from  20  to  75  acres.  The  soil 
is  variable  and  the  crops  include  asparagus,  tomatoes,  peas,  beans,  cabbage, 
rhubarb  and  carrots.  Most  of  the  vegetables  are  marketed  in  Newark, 
Plainfield  and  New  Brunswick.  Progressive  growers  in  this  section  are 
developing  a  special  strain  of  asparagus  which  promises  to  surpass  all  other 
varieties. 

Section  4  includes  a  part  of  Monmouth  County  where  the  farms  run  from 
40  to  70  acres.  Considerable  fruit  is  grown  along  with  vegetables.  The 
main  crops  are  tomatoes,  asparagus,  peppers,  muskmelons,  carrots,  beets  and 
cabbage.  During  the  heavy  shipping  season  some  of  the  produce  goes  to 
New  York  by  boat,  though  most  of  it  is  shipped  by  train.  Some  of  the 

Forty-two 


The  light  soils  of  South  Jersey  produce  large  crops  of  onions. 

growers  within  hauling  distance  of  Perth  Amboy  dispose  of  their  produce 
at  the  popular  public  market  there. 

Section  5  comprises  a  narrow  strip  running  close  to  the  shore  from  Manas- 
quan  to  Cape  May.  Trucking  here  is  less  intensive  than  in  other  sections, 
being  mostly  for  the  shore  trade,  and  commonly  occupies  less  than  six 
months  of  the  grower's  time.  The  rest  of  the  year  is  spent  in  other  occu- 
pations, or  in  general  farming.  In  this  section  are  great  opportunities  for 
intensive  cultivation  of  specialties  salable  in  city  as  well  as  in  shore  markets. 
By  the  use  of  cover  crops  and  commercial  fertilizers,  with  skillful  manage- 
ment, the  light,  warm  soils  produce  fine  crops  of  sweet  potatoes,  asparagus 
and  other  vegetables. 

Section  6,  the  Bridgeton  and  Maurice  River  sections  of  Cumberland 
County,  cover  one  of  the  best  known  trucking  areas.  Some  of  the  farms 
exceed  1,000  acres.  The  soil  in  the  southern  and  eastern  portions  of  this 
section  is  a  light  to  medium  sandy  loam,  which  warms  up  quickly  in  the 
spring,  and  is  adapted  for  the  growing  of  sweet  potatoes,  onions,  asparagus, 
melons,  tomatoes  and  strawberries.  The  centers  of  production  for  these 
crops  are  Cedarville,  Newport,  Dividing  Creek,  Center  Grove  and  Port 
Norris.  Thousands  of  acres  in  the  vicinity  of  these  towns  are  devoted  to 
onions  and  strawberries,  which  are  shipped  to  the  Philadelphia  and  New 
York  markets.  The  soil  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  area,  north  of 

Forty-three 


Market  gardening  section  of  North  Jersey  within  ten  miles  of  New  York  City. 

Bridgeton,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Rosenhayn,  Pleasant  Grove,  and  Garton 
Road,  is  a  somewhat  heavier  loam  than  is  found  in  the  southern  portion  and 
supports  an  intensive  trucking  industry,  several  large  tracts  being  under  irri- 
gation. Here  great  crops  of  tomatoes,  beans,  egg  plants,  lettuce,  onions  and 
strawberries  are  produced  each  season  and  marketed  in  the  large  eastern 
cities.  Several  canning  houses  in  this  section  also  take  much  of  the  produce 
grown. 

Section  7  is  known  as  the  Vineland-Hammonton  area.  The  farms  range 
from  15  to  75  acres  in  size.  The  soil  is  mostly  a  light  sandy  loam,  which, 
under  good  management,  produces  excellent  crops  of  peppers,  sweet  potatoes, 
tomatoes,  asparagus,  peas,  beans,  melons,  strawberries  and  sweet  corn.  In 
1918  the  pepper  shipment  from  Malaga  was  17,237  barrels,  from  Newfield 
8,478  barrels,  and  from  South  Vineland  1,320  barrels.  The  growing  of 
sweet  potatoes  in  the  vicinity  of  Vineland  is  another  specialty  that  is  reaching 
great  proportions.  The  reputation  of  "Vineland  sweets"  always  assures  top 
prices  in  the  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Boston  markets.  The  produce 
from  this  section  is  shipped  over  two  main  railroads  in  special  cars  provided 
during  the  growing  season  at  all  main  stations. 

Section  8  is  called  the  Swedesboro  area.  The  soil  is  of  several  types, 
varying  from  very  light,  sandy  loam  to  heavy,  gravelly  loam,  with  some 
marl  formations.  The  size  of  the  farms  varies  from  30  to  90  acres  and  the 
crops  include  peppers,  sweet  potatoes,  asparagus,  cantaloupes,  watermelons 
and  tomatoes.  The  centers  of  production  are  Swedesboro,  Mullica  Hill, 

Forty-four 


1 


The  light, 
warm  soils 
of  South  Jersey 
are  particularly 
adapted  to 
sweet  potatoes. 


Mickleton  and  Thorofare.  Markets  are  found  in  the  large  cities  as  far 
west  as  Detroit,  though  many  growers  haul  by  motor  truck  or  wagon  direct 
to  Philadelphia.  In  1919  the  sweet  potatoes  shipped  from  Swedesboro  alone 
amounted  to  10,357  barrels,  309,909  baskets  and  132,500  pounds  in  bulk; 
of  tomatoes,  10,837  baskets  and  446,701  crates,  and  of  peppers  90  barrels, 
83,652  baskets  and  14,043  crates. 

Section  9  forms  a  rectangular  strip  adjoining  the  Delaware  River  in  Bur- 
lington and  Camden  Counties.  The  soil  varies  from  a  light  to  medium 
sandy  loam,  and  the  principal  crops  grown  are  early  peas,  beans,  sweet  corn, 
cantaloupes,  peppers,  cabbage  and  tomatoes.  Many  of  the  growers  also 
raise  considerable  fruit.  Products  are  hauled  direct  to  Philadelphia,  or 
shipped  by  train  to  the  large  cities.  This  section  is  developing  rapidly  into 
one  of  the  most  advanced  trucking  areas  in  the  State. 

Forty-five 


Grapes,   strawberries 
and  bush  fruits 
are  grown 
extensively  in  the 
southern  and 
central  sections. 


Section  10  includes  part  of  Burlington  and  Mercer  Counties  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Trenton.  The  soil  in  this  area  is  heavier  than  in  the  sections  farther 
south,  and  the  principal  crops  are  asparagus,  tomatoes,  peas,  beans  and  sweet 
corn.  A  good  market  is  found  in  Trenton,  with  New  York  and  Philadel- 
phia for  the  surplus  stock. 

Section  n  is  an  area  of  muck,  or  black  soils  which  are  ideal  for  growing 
celery,  lettuce  and  onions.  This  rich  land,  much  of  it  undeveloped,  includes 
hundreds  of  acres  in  Warren  and  Sussex  Counties.  Though  the  develop- 
ment of  this  ground  often  involves  considerable  expenditure  for  drainage 
the  handsome  returns  in  crops  usually  justifies  it. 

Section  12  comprises  the  Montague  district  in  northern  Sussex  County. 
It  is  now  principally  devoted  to  supplying  the  Port  Jervis  and  New  York 
markets,  yet  is  capable  of  considerable  expansion. 
Forty-six 


A  well-kept  peach  orchard  in  Cumberland  County. 

FRUIT 

New  Jersey  ranks  high  as  a  producer  of  tree  fruits,  small  fruits,  grapes 
and  cranberries.  Although  forty-fifth  in  size  among  the  States  of  the 
Union,  the  State  is  close  to  the  top  of  the  list  in  quantity  and  quality  of  its 
fruit  products. 

All  of  the  standard  temperate  zone  fruits,  peach,  pear,  apple,  cherry, 
quince,  grape,  briar,  bush  and  vine  berries  are  successfully  grown  in  most 
parts  of  New  Jersey.  The  rolling  and  hilly  areas  of  Sussex,  Warren  and 
Hunterdon  Counties  favor  certain  types  or  species;  the  level  lands  and 
earlier  seasons  of  Gloucester,  Cumberland  and  Cape  May  Counties  give  ad- 
vantage to  others.  The  ten  days  to  two  weeks  difference  in  the  ripening 
period  of  the  various  fruits  between  North  Jersey  and  South  Jersey  works 
to  the  advantage  of  the  fruit  growers  by  reducing  competition. 

Peaches.— New  Jersey  has  long  been  known  as  one  of  the  foremost  peach 
states,  its  fruit  rivaling  that  of  Delaware,  Georgia  and  California.  The 
orchards  of  New  Jersey  produce  fruit  of  exceptional  color  and  flavor.  The 
chief  centers  of  peach  production  are  Vineland,  Hammonton,  Bridgeton, 
Glassboro,  Moorestown,  Beverly,  Hopewell  and  Lebanon. 

Apples. — A  large  acreage  planted  in  apple  trees  is  bringing  handsome  re- 

Forty-seven 


turns  for  high  quality  fruit,  and  the  number  of  young  orchards  is  rapidly 
increasing.  The  elevated,  rolling  lands  of  northern  New  Jersey  are  es- 
pecially adapted  to  the  production  of  apples  of  the  highest  quality  and  color, 
while  many  successful  orchards  are  found  upon  the  loams  of  central  and 
southern  New  Jersey.  The  principal  centers  of  production  are  Newton, 
Blairstown,  Hackettstown,  Middletown,  Cranbury,  Beverly,  Moorestown, 
Glassboro  and  Bridgeton.  Approximately  2,500,000  bushels  of  apples  were 
produced  in  the  State  during  1919. 

Other  Tree  Fruit*.—  Pears,  cherries,  plums  and  quinces  are  grown  for 
market  in  many  parts  of  the  State,  although  not  so  extensively  as  peaches 
and  apples.  The  annual  pear  crop  is  about  450,000  bushels. 

Grapes. — Favorable  conditions  for  grape  production  are  found  in  several 
sections,  but  the  industry  at  present  is  centered  chiefly  in  Atlantic,  Cumber- 
land and  Burlington  Counties.  There  is  a  large  acreage  of  grapes  around 
Vineland;  other  extensive  vineyards  are  to  be  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Ham- 
monton  and  Egg  Harbor  City. 

Berries. — The  production  of  berries  is  an  important  part  of  the  fruit  busi- 
ness of  the  State,  and  blackberries,  dewberries,  raspberries,  currants,  goose- 
berries and  strawberries  are  extensively  grown.  New  Jersey  cultivates 
more  blackberries  and  dewberries  than  any  other  state.  Atlantic  County 
leads  in  the  production  of  raspberries,  dewberries  and  blackberries,  with 
Hammonton  and  Egg  Harbor  City  as  centers.  They  are  also  produced  in 
abundance  in  Cumberland,  Camden,  Burlington  and  Monmouth  Counties. 
Strawberries  are  grown  in  large  quantities  all  over  the  State,  especially  in 
Cumberland  and  Burlington  Counties. 

FRUIT  SECTIONS 

(SEE   MAP   ON    PAGE    53.) 

The  most  important  fruit  growing  sections  are  described  below,  though, 
since  the  whole  State  is  adapted  to  the  production  of  fruit,  many  fine  loca- 
tions will  be  found  outside  the  areas  named. 

Section  /. — This  comprises  a  large  portion  of  Sussex  and  Warren  Coun- 
ties, with  parts  of  Morris  and  Hunterdon.  Commercial  fruit  growing  in 
this  section  is  largely  confined  to  the  production  of  apples,  but  there  are  a 

Forty-eight 


Jersey  peaches. 


Forty-nine 


Apples  vrith  beans;  the  double  cropping  practice  is  common. 

few  peach  orchards.  The  business  is  sometimes  combined  with  dairying. 
Orcharding  in  this  part  of  the  State  is  undeveloped  and  splendid  opportuni- 
ties for  the  prospective  apple  grower  will  be  found.  The  Baldwin,  North- 
ern Spy,  Rhode  Island  Greening,  Mclntosh  and  Fall  Pippin  grow  to  per- 
fection under  proper  culture. 

Section  2. — This  includes  portions  of  Hunterdon  and  Morris  Counties, 
well  known  years  ago  as  one  of  the  most  important  peach  growing  districts 
in  the  country.  With  the  introduction  of  the  San  Jose  scale  the  peach 
orchards  were  wiped  out,  but  now  that  the  scale  is  under  control  this  sec- 
tion offers  exceptional  opportunities  for  both  peach  and  apple  growing. 

Section  3. — This  area  in  Bergen  County  is  specially  adapted  to  the  devel- 
opment of  small  peach  and  apple  orchards,  whose  products  are  sold  in  local 
markets.  The  population  in  this  part  of  the  State  is  largely  made  up  of 
commuters  who  willingly  pay  good  prices  for  first  class  fruit. 

Section  4. — This  section,  comprising  those  parts  of  Essex,  Union  and 
Middlesex  Counties  farthest  removed  from  the  large  cities,  is  similar  in 
many  ways  to  Section  3,  although  the  land  is  less  rolling  and  the  soil  is  not 

Fifty 


Apples  of  the  highest  flavor  and  color  are  grown  near  the  large  markets. 

so  strong.  The  bulk  of  the  fruit  grown  in  this  district  is  sold  locally  and 
there  are  many  opportunities  for  the  development  of  new  orchards. 

Section  5. — Comprising  the  northeastern  portion  of  Monmouth  County, 
this  district  is  now  one  of  the  most  important  apple  growing  sections  in  the 
State.  Peaches,  pears,  grapes  and  small  fruits  also  flourish.  Transporta- 
tion facilities  to  the  markets  in  Newark,  New  York  and  along  the  seashore 
are  most  satisfactory.  The  country  is  rolling,  with  ideal  soil  and  climatic 
conditions. 

Section  6. — The  parts  of  Middlesex,  Monmouth  and  Mercer  Counties 
included  in  this  area  contain  some  very  fine  orchards,  though  the  primary 
interests  are  other  than  fruit  growing.  The  striking  success  of  these  widely 
separated  orchards  indicates  fine  opportunities  for  future  development. 
The  land  is  gently  rolling,  easy  to  handle,  and  the  roads  and  transportation 
facilities  are  unsurpassed.  The  most  important  centers  are  Englishtown, 
Hightstown  and  Cranbury. 

Section  7. — This  area,  comprising  the  western  half  of  Burlington,  Cam- 
den  and  Gloucester  Counties,  is  the  most  intensive  and  important  fruit 

Fifty- one 


A  packing  house  in  a  Jersey  peach  section. 

growing  section  in  the  State.  All  kinds  of  deciduous  fruits  are  grown  here 
to  perfection,  the  greatest  emphasis  being  placed  upon  the  production  of 
apples,  peaches,  pears,  grapes  and  strawberries.  The  Philadelphia  market 
is  easily  reached  by  wagon  or  motor  truck,  while  New  York  and  other  large 
markets  have  direct  connection  by  railroad.  A  large  number  of  young 
orchards  indicates  the  future  importance  of  apples  and  peaches.  The  chief 
centers  are  Burlington,  Beverly,  Riverton,  Moorestown,  Haddonfield  and 
Clementon. 

Section  8. — The  center  of  this  section  is  Glassboro,  about  which  are 
grouped  a  limited  number  of  large  apple  and  peach  orchards.  The  soil 
here  is  fairly  light,  but  quickly  responds  to  treatment.  There  are  many 
opportunities  in  this  district  for  the  development  of  orchards  on  a  large 
or  small  scale. 

Section  g. — This  section,  with  its  center  at  Hammonton,  is  known  pri- 
marily for  its  peaches  and  small  fruits.  It  has  much  to  offer  newcomers. 
Raspberries,  dewberries,  strawberries  and  grapes  are  grown  extensively  on 
the  light,  warm,  early  soil. 

Section  10. — This  area  is  well  known  for  its  peaches  and  small  fruits, 
while  the  production  of  apples  is  developing  rapidly.  The  soil  is  early 
and  easily  worked.  Vineland  is  the  center  for  peaches  and  Bridgeton  for 
apples.  Cedarville,  Dividing  Creek  and  Port  Norris,  are  famous  for  their 
strawberries,  Early  Campbell  and  Gandy  being  the  leading  varieties. 

Fifty-ton 


HEW  JERSEY 

CHIEF   FRUIT  SECTIONS 
1920 


Fifty-three 


CANNING 

Based  upon  the  great  quantities  of  fruits  and  vegetables  produced  in 
favorable  localities,  and  upon  the  extremely  perishable  nature  of  these  pro- 
ducts, many  canning  factories  have  been  erected,  and  do  a  flourishing  busi- 
ness during  several  months  of  the  year.  There  are  over  sixty  such  factories 
in  the  central  and  southern  parts  of  the  State,  giving  seasonal  employment 
to  more  than  five  thousand  people.  Tomatoes  and  pears  are  the  principal 
crops  canned,  supplemented  by  peas,  beans,  corn  and  berries. 

In  parts  of  Salem  County,  tomatoes  for  canning  are  raised  in  connection 
with  dairy  farming,  which  provides  manure  as  fertilizer.  In  the  Swedes- 
boro  vegetable  section  large  quantities  of  late  tomatoes  are  turned  over  to 
the  canhouse  after  the  early  crop  has  been  marketed  for  domestic  use.  In 
Cumberland,  Cape  May,  Atlantic,  Camden  and  Burlington  Counties,  large 
acreages  of  canhouse  tomatoes  are  grown  annually  under  contract  agree- 
ment. 


Numerous 
canning  factories 
absorb  surplus 
produce. 


Fifty-four 


FLORICULTURE 

New  Jersey  has  long  held  a  prominent  place  in  the  commercial  production 
of  cut  flowers  and  potted  plants,  some  growers  giving  particular  attention 
to  new  varieties.  A  recent  census  showed  that  the  State  ranked  fourth  in 
the  value  of  florists'  products.  The  greater  number  of  the  greenhouses 
are  located  within  a  short  distance  of  New  York,  but  large  greenhouses  are 
situated  in  other  parts  of  the  State  as  well. 


Bee-keeping  is  a  profitable  aid  in  fruit  growing. 


BEE  KEEPING 

As  a  side  line  with  fruit  raising  or  general  farming,  bee  keeping  makes 
an  interesting  and  profitable  pursuit.  In  hothouse  vegetable  growing  it  is 
necessary  to  keep  some  bees  to  insure  pollination  of  the  flowers  and  a  satis- 
factory set  of  fruits.  The  comparatively  mild  climate  of  New  Jersey  re- 
duces the  risk  of  winter  loss  as  the  bees  winter  very  well  on  the  ordinary 
summer  stands  with  but  little  or  no  protection. 

More  than  twenty  thousand  colonies  of  bees  are  kept  on  our  farms.  The 
total  value  of  the  honey  produced  yearly  is  estimated  at  $250,000. 

Fifty-five 


CRANBERRIES 

New  Jersey  produces  over  one-third  of  the  world's  cranberry  crop,  as 
they  are  not  grown  outside  of  the  United  States.  There  are  in  this  State 
approximately  ten  thousand  acres  in  cranberries,  yielding  from  100,000  to 
250,000  barrels  annually.  The  average  annual  value  of  the  cranberry  crop 
of  New  Jersey  is  estimated  at  a  million  dollars.  A  large  part  of  the  pres- 
ent acreage  has  been  cleared,  drained  and  set  out  with  selected  varieties. 
Most  of  these  bogs  are  in  Atlantic,  Burlington  and  Ocean  Counties.  In 
those  counties,  and  in  Cumberland  and  Cape  May,  are  many  hundreds  of 
acres  of  available  swamp  land  which  only  await  capital  and  energy  to  trans- 
form them  into  profitable  plantations.  This  land  can  be  bought  for  from 
$5.00  to  $20.00  per  acre.  Much  of  it  is  several  miles  from  a  railroad. 


(C)  BROWX  PROS. 

Cranberry  growing.     Hundreds  of  acres  of  suitable  land  are  still  undeveloped. 
Fifty-six 


Poultry  raising  combines  well  icith  peach  growing  in  South  Jersey. 

POULTRY 

With  the  development  of  scientific  methods  of  management,  poultry 
raising  in  New  Jersey  has  expanded  within  the  past  decade  into  a  highly 
specialized  industry.  Contrary  to  a  common  belief,  and  in  spite  of  much 
glowing  advertising,  this  is  not  a  business  which  can  be  taken  up  and  made 
successful  without  capital  or  skill.  Numerous  abandoned  plants  mark  mis- 
adventures, but  the  thousands  of  large  flocks  scattered  over  the  State,  and 
which  bring  to  their  owners  satisfactory  returns,  determine  an  organized 
and  stable  industry.  About  8  per  cent,  of  New  Jersey's  agricultural  wealth 
is  in  poultry ;  for  the  United  States  as  a  whole  it  represents  but  3  per  cent. 

The  State  has  a  reputation  for  the  production  of  market  eggs  and  broilers 
which  are  sold  in  the  large  cities.  To  these  markets  are  added  the  shore 
resorts  which,  during  the  summer,  and  to  a  less  extent  in  winter,  consume 
large  quantities  of  the  best  poultry  products. 

Climatic  and  soil  conditions  are  ideal  for  poultry.  The  temperate  cli- 
mate and  well  drained  soils  tend  to  prevent  sickness  among  the  birds  and 
facilitate  necessary  sanitary  measures. 

The  poultrymen  of  the  State  are  perhaps  better  organized  than  those  of 
any  other  State  in  the  Union.  Many  poultry  associations  with  large  active 
memberships  are  maintained  primarily  for  educational  and  exhibition  pur- 
poses. The  State  College  and  Experiment  Station  are  well  equipped  and 
organized  for  educational  and  experimental  work.  In  every  way  New 
Jersey  offers  attractions  to  prospective  egg  farmers. 

Fifty-seven 


POULTRY  SECTIONS 

(SEE   MAP  OPPOSITE.) 

Though  practically  the  entire  State  is  favorable  for  poultry  raising,  the 
industry  has  become  intensified  in  certain  sections.  The  Vineland  area  in 
particular  contains  many  poultry  farms,  mostly  of  the  same  type.  With  the 
exception  of  Petaluna,  California,  no  other  area  in  the  United  States  has 
developed  poultry  farming  to  so  high  a  degree.  Other  sections  closely 
rival  Vineland. 

Section  I. — Vineland  Area.  This  covers  a  rectangular  tract  in  Cumber- 
land County  about  five  miles  wide  and  seven  miles  long,  with  the  borough  of 
Vineland  as  its  center.  It  is  35  miles  south  of  Philadelphia  and  100  miles 
from  New  York  City.  Transportation  facilities  are  excellent,  no  poultry 
farm  being  over  two  miles  from  a  shipping  point.  The  topography  is  nearly 
level;  the  soil  is  light  and  sandy,  with  considerable  gravel  in  many  places. 
It  is  so  well  drained  that  it  is  possible  to  keep  poultry  on  the  same  ground 
year  after  year  without  danger  of  disease.  The  Leghorn  is  the  prevailing 
type  of  bird. 

Section  2. — Lakewood  and  Toms  River  Area.  The  area  about  these 
centers  is  located  in  Ocean  County,  63  miles  from  New  York  City,  and 
about  13  miles  from  an  important  group  of  shore  resorts.  Shipping  facil- 
ities by  rail  and  highway  are  very  convenient.  The  topography  is  fairly 
level;  the  soil  and  climatic  conditions  are  similar  to  those  of  Section  1. 
Throughout  the  area  are  well-grown  pine  forests  which  further  moderate 
the  naturally  mild  winters.  The  industry  is  not  quite  so  intensive  as  in 
Section  1,  the  farms  being  larger  and  more  scattered,  yet  the  section  prom- 
ises to  rival  the  Vineland  area  within  a  few  years.  Here  as  well  the  pre- 
dominating type  is  the  Leghorn,  and  there  are  also  some  of  the  best  Barred 
Rock  and  Rhode  Island  Red  flocks  in  the  country. 

Section  j. — Hammonton  Area.  This  narrow  rectangular  strip  extends 
along  two  railroads  between  Hammonton  and  Egg  Harbor  City.  Con- 
ditions respecting  soil  and  climate  are  similar  to  those  of  Section  1,  though 
the  poultry  industry  is  somewhat  less  intensified.  Its  future  is  promising. 
The  Leghorn  is  the  principal  type  raised. 

Section  4. — Delaware  River  Area.  In  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Lam- 
bertville  and  Frenchtown  is  a  section  made  up  principally  of  large  special- 

Fifty-eight 


NEW  JERSEY     » 


CHIEF  POULTRY  SECTIONS 
1920 


Fifty-nine 


4    commercial  poultry  farm. 

ized  farm  flocks  containing  from  200  to  600  birds.  This  is  one  of  the  dis- 
tricts in  which  general  farmers,  as  distinguished  from  specialists,  keep  ade- 
quate flocks,  and  raise  a  considerable  part  of  their  feed.  A  great  many  of 
the  eggs  produced  in  the  northern  part  of  this  area  are  sold  in  the  spring  of 
the  year  at  commercial  hatcheries  in  Frenchtown,  Rosemont  and  Stockton. 
These  are  among  the  largest  in  the  world,  producing  millions  of  chicks  each 
year.  Eggs  are  marketed  co-operatively  in  Newark  and  New  York.  Be- 
sides Leghorns,  many  Rhode  Island  Reds  and  White  and  Barred  Plymouth 
Rocks  are  raised. 

Section  5. — Sussex  Area.  In  this  area,  located  in  the  northwestern  part 
of  Sussex  County  adjacent  to  the  Delaware  River,  the  industry  is  not  so 
intensive  as  in  Sections  1  and  2.  The  topography  is  rather  rough  for  New 
Jersey  farm  land,  and  the  soil  is  mainly  a  silty  or  stony  loam.  This  section 
has  pleasant  summers,  but  longer  and  more  severe  winters  than  the  southern 
portions  of  the  State.  The  land  is  well  drained  and  some  crops  are  raised 
along  with  the  poultry.  The  Leghorn  is  the  prevailing  type.  The  ship- 
ping points  are  Port  Jervis  and  Branchville.  Branchville  is  70  miles  and 
Port  Jervis  is  80  miles  by  rail  from  New  York  City. 

Section  6. — Bergen  and  Passaic  Area.  North  of  the  metropolitan  dis- 
trict, partly  in  Bergen  and  partly  in  Passaic  County,  is  a  section  of  com- 
mercial poultry  farms  which  carry  from  800  to  1500  birds.  The  farms  are 
from  12  to  40  acres  in  size,  and  have  good  markets  in  New  York  and  its 
suburbs.  In  most  cases  poultry  raising  is  combined  successfully  with  truck 

Sixty 


New  Jersey  has  room  for  more  duck  farms. 

farming.  Wyandottes,  Rhode  Island  Reds,  and  White  and  Barred  Rocks 
are  raised  to  a  considerable  extent,  together  with  some  Leghorns. 

Section  7. — Seashore  Area.  This  area  extends  along  the  shore  from 
Keansburg  to  Farmingdale.  It  has  many  commercial  farms  with  froni 
1000  to  1200  birds,  or  more,  and  is  growing  rapidly.  The  farmers  sell 
to  the  shore  trade  in  summer,  and  ship  to  Newark  and  New  York  during 
the  winter.  Farms  vary  in  size  from  5  to  25  acres  and  usually  combine 
fruit  growing  and  truck  gardening  with  poultry.  Leghorns  are  raised 
mostly,  with  a  few  flocks  of  the  heavier  breeds. 

Section  8. — Smithville  Area.  In  this  section,  with  Smithville  as  the 
center,  are  found  a  number  of  commercial  plants  with  about  1000  birds. 
These  farms,  like  those  in  Sections  1  and  2  are  small  in  size  and  especially 
devoted  to  poultry  raising  on  an  intensive  scale,  principally  of  Leghorns. 
Shipping  facilities  are  good  and  there  is  ample  room  for  expansion. 

Section  g. — Cape  May  Area.  This  growing  area  includes  Woodbine 
and  Belle  Plain  in  Cape  May  County.  The  farms  are  similar  to  those  in 
Section  1,  but  the  practice  is  less  intensified.  Leghorns  predominate. 

Section  10. — Camden  County  Area.  This  area  includes  a  small  section 
in  the  central  part  of  Camden  County  around  Atco  and  Clementon  and 
much  resembles  Section  8.  In  addition  to  Leghorns  are  found  many  flocks 

Sixty-one 


of  Wyandottes,  Rhode  Island  Reds,  and  White  and  Barred  Plymouth 
Rocks. 

Section  n. — Pleasantville  Area.  This  area  extends  along  the  shore  just 
outside  of  Atlantic  City,  and,  with  Pleasantville  as  its  center,  contains  a 
number  of  modern  poultry  plants  similar  to  those  found  in  Sections  1  and 
2.  The  nearby  shore  resorts  furnish  ready  markets.  The  Leghorn  is  the 
prevailing  type. 

Section  12. — Franklinville-Elmer  Area.  That  part  of  Gloucester  County 
around  Franklinville,  and  a  corner  of  Salem  County  in  the  vicinity  of  Elmer 
are  included  in  this  area.  Poultry  raising  is  carried  on  in  connection  with 
general  farming,  and  the  farms,  which  range  from  25  to  100  acres,  raise 
a  large  part  of  the  food  consumed  by  the  birds.  Flocks  vary  from  400  to 
1200  birds.  Eggs  are  for  the  most  part  shipped  25  miles  to  Philadelphia. 
In  addition  to  Leghorns,  the  heavier  breeds,  such  as  Wyandottes  and  Barred 
and  White  Plymouth  Rocks,  are  raised. 


Success  in 
poultry  raising 
depends  upon 
intelligent 
management. 


Sixty-two 


New  Jersey  Produced  in  1919 

$25,000,000   worth  of  Dairy    Products 

20,000,000  "  "  Poultry  Products 

19,720,000  "  "  White  Potatoes 

17,018,000  "  "  Corn 

14,326,000  "  "  Hay 

12,500,000  "  "  Vegetables 

10,000,000  "  "  Fruits 

30,000,000  "  "  Other  Farm  Crops 

It  has  the  land  to  double  this 
production 

AVERAGE  FARM  VALUES 

Surveys  of  farming  sections,  made  before  the  war  by  experts  from  the 
State  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  covering  several  hundred  farms 
give  the  following  average  sizes  and  values: 

Type  of  Average  Size  Average  Average  Value 

Farm  in  Acres  Value  Per  Acre 

Dairy  153.9  $  7,765  $  50.45 

White  Potato  98.  14,145  144.34 

Truck  55.  9,845  179.00 

Poultry  13.  5,572  428.61 

General  110.4  10,680  96.70 

These  values,  being  averages,  and  even  the  higher  present  average  values, 
do  not,  of  course,  represent  the  sale  price  or  earning  power  of  the  best 
lands  in  the  State.  Some  farms  are  properly  valued  at  upwards  of  $500 
an  acre,  exclusive  of  movables,  because  they  yield  a  profit  on  that  much  in- 
vestment. Yet  the  fact  remains  that  a  large  part  of  our  farm  land  is  under- 
valued, and  on  that  account  should  be  attractive  to  purchasers.  This  view 
supports  no  attempt  to  increase  farm  prices  beyond  the  point  determined  by 
the  earning  power  of  land.  Anything  like  a  boom  in  farm  values  would 
be  a  positive  misfortune. 

Sixty-three 


RELIABLE  INFORMATION  OFFERED  NEW  SETTLERS 

Necessity  for  Facts. — New  Jersey's  repute  has  suffered  not  a  little  through 
the  ill-advised — sometimes  conscienceless,  efforts  of  boomers,  who,  with 
no  knowledge  of  the  diversity  of  our  soils,  and  with  no  knowledge  of, 
or  interest  in,  the  requirements  for  successful  farming,  have  advertised 
tracts  of  land  for  farming  enterprises,  especially  fruit  and  poultry  raising, 
in  a  way  that  has  brought  disappointment  to  many.  The  State,  and  its 
official  agencies,  stand  for  none  of  these  efforts.  There  is  no  bonanza  to  be 
found  here  and  no  effort  is  made  to  attract  farmers,  or  families,  who  hope 
to  find  an  easy  living  on  the  land.  Our  appeal  is  made  to  those  who  seek 
opportunity  to  practice,  and  to  develop,  their  skill  as  farmers  under  agree- 
able living  conditions,  and  where  success  may  be  assured  through  honest 
work,  intelligently  directed. 

This  publication  presents  facts.  The  material  presented  was  prepared  in 
co-operation  with  the  Director,  and  various  experts  of  the  State  Agricul- 
tural Experiment  Station,  and  with  the  State  Secretary  of  Agriculture  and 
his  assistants. 

The  Land  Registry  of  the  Department  is  maintained  to  advise  prospective 
settlers  regarding  suitable  locations.  It  gives,  without  charge,  definite  and 
trustworthy  information  about  farming  opportunities  and  conditions  and 
assists  in  securing  farms  adapted  to  the  inquirer's  needs,  experience,  and 
financial  ability.  It  is  in  touch  with  available  properties  in  every  part  of 
the  State,  ranging  from  uncleared  land  and  rundown  farms  to  highly  de- 
veloped farms  of  all  sizes  and  types.  Correspondence  is  invited. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  CONSERVATION  Q  DEVELOPMENT, 

State  House,  Trenton,  1920.  Alfred  QasKill,  Director. 

Sixty-four 


YC  59062 


